Pictures: Annette Schiller, ombiasy PR and WineTours, and Christian G.E. Schiller at Straits Wine Company’s Wine Fiesta 2014 in Singapore, with Marina Bay Sands Hotel
During October 23 and October 26, 2014, over 70 wineries from all over the world presented their wines at the Singapore Wine Fiesta, the annual portfolio presentation of The Straits Wine Company. The wine fair was opened by a Winemakers’ Table Dinner on October 23, with the menu crafted by The Fullerton Bay Hotel Executive Chief Sandro Falbo. This was the seventh edition of Singapore Wine Fiesta.
Tickets for the dinner (including wine tasting) were sold at S$228 and for the wine tasting at S$55. Exchange rate at the time of my visit: S$1 = US$0.8.
Wine Country Singapore
When Robert Parker stepped down as editor-in-chief of The Wine Advocate at the end of 2013, took three investors from Singapore on board and appointed Singapore-based Lisa Perrotti-Brown as editor-in-chief, this was another sign that Singapore was on its way to becoming a major player in the world of wine.
Singapore covers just 700 square km and has a population of a bit more than 5 million people. It is a very expensive city (and became the most expensive city in 2014 according to the Economist) and also a popular tourist destination; on average every day, there are 36,000 additional people on the island.
The restaurant, bar and club scene is amazing, ranging from inexpensive hawker centers to premium restaurants serving both eastern and western cuisine.
Pictures: Delicious Hawker Food in Singapore
Traditionally, Singapore’s wine market has been dominated by French wine. The selection of Bordeaux and Bourgogne wines, including older vintages, in the large number of wine bars and restaurants in Singapore is amazing. Today, the interest is shifting to other red wine regions. “But more importantly, white wines are increasingly popular and after the Sauvignon Blanc boom, finally fine Rieslings or Grüner Veltliners are offered by the glass in some of the top restaurants” says Michael Thurner, who founded Austria’s Fine Brands in Singapore.
According to the International Enterprise Singapore, a government agency, six countries account for more than 80% of import volume into Singapore. Australia and France are at the top with 31% and 26% of volume share, respectively, followed by Chile (9%), Italy (7%), US (6%) and New Zealand (6%). Spain, South Africa, Argentina and Germany each have approximately 3%.
Who’s buying? With US55.000, Singapore has a high per capita income, higher than Germany and the US, for example.
On the supply side, the number of importers has mushroomed in recent years. Berry Brothers and Rudd moved into Asia in 1998, establishing offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Japan, is now also present in Singapore. Berry Brothers and Rudd predicts that its Asia businesses will account for half its global sales in five years’ time, up from 15% currently. “People have always looked at Singapore as a small market rather overshadowed by China, Hong Kong and Japan. But people are realizing that it's not just an interesting market by itself, it’s a hub for Southeast Asia too,” said Simon Berry, chairman of Berry Bros.
The Straints Wine Company
The Straints Wine Company: Started in 2006, The Straits Wine Company is now Southeast Asia’s leading wine importer, retailer and distributor, with operations in Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines. Offering a bespoke 360 wine solution, The Straits Wine Company has a comprehensive range of services that caters to any and all wine needs. From private wine parties to cellar planning, a trusted bottle shop to private client concierge, the Straits team of wine professionals is at your disposal. Our 12 retail wine bars across Singapore showcase a wide range of wines from around the world including Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Portugal, India, USA, Lebanon, Japan, Switzerland and many, many more. Whether you are wine beginner or an experience aficionado, we have a wine for you.
Pictures: Strait's Wine Company Staff, including the German Moritz Deyle, a Geisenheim University Graduate
Singapore Wine Fiesta 2014
The Singapore Wine Fiesta 2014 welcomed an estimated 10,000 visitors. They could taste some 300 wines (and also buy them, at special prices). The wine show offered a one-stop shopping, tasting and educational experience for everyone who loves wine – from the newbie to the connoisseur.
Those who wanted to boost their knowledge of wine could sit and sip with wine experts and winemakers who conducted free master classes every 45 minutes. There were 10 master classes a day by guest speakers, touching upon a wide variety of topics, ranging from the technicalities of viticulture to fun sessions which pair wines with local food.
Pictures: Many Masterclasses
One of the presenters was Joel Payne, chief editor of the Gault Millau Germany Wine Guide. After the trade show he will have to rush back to Germany as the 2015 Gault Millau WeinGuide Germany will be released in Mainz on November 5.
Picture: Joel B. Payne, Gault Millau Deutschland WeinGuide, Annette Schiller, ombiasy PR and WineTours, and Christian G.E. Schiller
To top off the experience, the Singapore Wine Fiesta was set amidst an unbeatable backdrop of Singapore’s rejuvenated city center, at Clifford Square. Visitors could enjoy a breathtaking view, including the iconic Marina Bay Sands building.
Pictures: Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Winemakers’ Table Dinner
Straits Wine Company’s Wine Fiesta 2014 began with a fantastic Winemakers’s Table Dinner on October 23, in which I participated with Annette Schiller, ombiasy PR and WineTours.
The wines that I tasted on that evening included CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva 2004 (Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator), Vietti Barolo Lazzarito 2010 (96 points by Antonio Galloni), Marques de Murrieta Castillo Y’gay Gran Riserva Especial 2005 (96 points by Wine Advocate), Jean Marc Brocard Chablis Domaine Ste Claire 1998 Magnum and Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No.2 2007 (one of Australia’s most iconic winery).
Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller Tasting CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva 2004
From Germany, Weingut Prinz von Hessen (Rheingau) and Weingut Richter (Mosel) presented their wines.
To celebrate the debut of the Women’s Tennis Association Finals in Singapore, which happened in Singapore in the same week as Wine Fiesta, the wines were accompanied by a bespoke tennis-inspired menu crafted by The Fullerton Bay Hotel Executive Chief Sandro Falbo.
Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller and The Fullerton Bay Hotel Executive Chef Sandro Falbo
Pictures: Winemakers' Table Dinner
Participating Wineries
There were wineries from all over the world. Most of the wines were in the S$40 to S$100 price range. A few were at S$100 plus, which are listed below (Straits Wine Company’s Wine Fiesta 2014, before member discount)
FRANCE
AIX (Provence, France)
ALBERT PONNELLE (Burgandy, France)
Beaune Premier Cru - Bressandes 2011 (S$116)
CHATEAU DE CHAMIREY (Burgandy, France)
CHATEAU DE TRACY (Loire Valley, France)
Pouilly Fume - Haute Densite 2012 (S$136)
CHATEAU PATACHE D’AUX (Bordeaux, France)
Picture: Annette Schiller, ombiasy PR and WineTours, and Pierre-Marie David Pouring Chateau Patache d'Aux
DELAS FRERES (Northern Rhône Valley, France)
Hermitage Rouge Domaine des Tourettes 2011 (S$146)
Picture: Joel B. Payne Pouring Delas Freres
DEUTZ (Ay, Champagne, France)
Brut Rose NV (S$102)
Brut Vintage 2007 (S$110)
Brut Blanc de Blanc 2008 (S$141)
Rose Vintage 2009 (S$123)
Cuvee William Deutz 2000 (S$211)
DOMAINE LAPORTE ((Loire Valley, France)
DOMAINE PAUL MAS (Languedoc, France)
DOMAINE DE VILLENEUVE (Rhône Valley, France)
JM BROCARD (Burgandy, France)
Chablis Grand Cru - Les Clos 2011 (S$119)
LIONEL OSMIN & CIE (South West, France)
PAUL JABOULET AÎNÉ (Rhône Valley, France)
Hermitage Blanc - Chevalier Sterimberg 2008 (S$126)
Hermitage Rouge - La Petite Chapelle 2009 (S$177)
FRANÇOIS THIENPONT (Bordeaux, France)
Picture: Francois Thienport Pouring his Wines
WOLFBERGER (Alsace, France)
ITALY
BARONE RICASOLI (Tuscany, Italy)
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione - Castello di Brolio 2010 (S$2010)
Picture: The Wines of Barone Ricasoli
BRAIDA (Piedmont, Italy)
Barbera d'Asti - Bricco Dell'Uccellone 2011 (S$128)
CEVICO (Romagna, Italy)
COLLAZZI (Chianti, Italy)
Tusacan IGT Collazzi 2011 (S$108)
COL VETORAZ (Veneto, Italy)
TENUTA FANTI (Tuscany, Italy)
GD VAJRA (Piedmont, Italy)
Barolo Bricco Delle Viole 2009 (S$133)
MARCO FELLUGA (Collio, Italy)
MASSERIA LI VELI (Puglia, Italy)
MONTE DEL FRA (Veneto, Italy)
PININO (Tuscany, Italy)
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2007 (S$125)
SETTESOLI (Menfi, Italy)
SPERI VITICOLORI (Veneto, Italy)
Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2010 (S$114)
VIETTI (Piedmont, Italy)
Barolo Castiglione 2010 (S$111)
Barbaresco Masseria 2010 (S$169)
Barolo Lazzarito 2010 (S$2010)
VIGNETI (Piedmont, Italy)
VILLA M (Piedmont, Italy)
SPAIN
BODEGAS MANO A MONO (La Mancha, Spain)
BODEGAS NAIA (Rueda, Spain)
BODEGAS PAZOS DEL REY (Galicia, Spain)
BODEGAS FELIS CALLEJO (Ribera del Duero,Spain)
Felix Callejo 2006 (S$189)
CODORNIU
C.V.N.E. (Rioja, Spain)
Rioja Gran Reserva Imperial Cune 2004 (S$175)
MARQUES DE MURRIETA (Rioja, Spain)
Rioja Reserva Dalmau 2009 (S$129)
Rioja Gran Reserva Especial - CastelleY'Gay 2005 (S$136)
Picture: Ivan Aquino Pouring Marques de Murrieta
RAVENTOS I BLANC (Catalunya, Spain)
VINA PEDROSA (Ribera del Duero,Spain)
Gran Reserva - Vina Pedrosa 2006 (S$147)
GERMANY , PORTUGAL & AUSTRIA
PRINZ VON HESSEN (Rheingau, Germany)
MAX FERNIDAND RICHTER (Mosel, Germany)
LAURENZ V (Niederösterreich, Austria)
Picture: Madelene Ganter Pouring Prinz von Hessen and Laurenz V
TERRAS D'ALTER (Alentejo, Portugal)
USA, ARGENTINA, Chile & SOUTH AFRICA
ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS (Mendoza, Argentina)
DECERO (Mendoza, Argentina)
DE MARTINO (Maipo, Chile)
Cabernet Sauvignon - Familia 2008 (S$101)
Carmenere - Armida 2009 (S$123)
DOMBEYA & HASKELL (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
CHIMNEY ROCK (Napa Valley, USA)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (S$131)
Bordeaux Blend 2011 (S$162)
ESSER (Napa Valley, USA)
PANAMERA (Napa Valley, USA)
SANFORD (Santa Barbara, USA)
Pinot Noir - Sanford & Benedict Vineyard 2011 (S$108)
TERLATO (California,USA)
AUSTRALIA
BROKENWOOD (Hunter valley, Australia)
Shiraz - Quail 2012 (S$121)
CLARE WINE CO. (Clare Valley, South Australia)
FERNGROVE (Frankland River, Western Australia)
GLAETZER (Barossa Valley, South Australia)
Shiraz - Amon - RA 2012 (S$121)
HUNGERFORD (Hunter Valley, Australia)
HENTLEY FARM (Barossa Valley, South Australia)
Shiraz - The Beauty 2012 (S$114)
Shiraz - The Beast 2011 (S$142)
Shiraz - Clos Otto 2011 (S$230)
KAESLER (Barossa Valley, South Australia)
KIRRIHILL WINES (Adelaide Hills, South Australia)
LEEUWIN ESTATE (Margaret River, Western Australia)
MCHENRY HOHNEN (Margaret River, Western Australia)
NASHWAUK (McLaren Vale, South Australia)
OAKRIDGE (Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia)
Chardonnay - 864 2012 (S$111)
Syrah - 864 2010 (S$102)
ODDFELLOW (Langhorne Creek, South Australia)
ROCHFORD (Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia)
WARRAMATE (Yarra Valley Australia)
WOODSTOCK (McLaren Vale, Australia)
YARRA YERING (Yarra Valley Australia)
Dry Red Wine No1 2008 (S$130)
Dry Red Wine No2 2007 (S$102)
NEW ZEALAND
ARA (Marlborough, New Zealand)
BABICH (Marlborough, New Zealand)
CARRICK WINES (Central Otago, New Zealand)
LAWSON DRY HILL (Marlborough, New Zealand)
MUDDY WATER (Waipara, New Zealand)
CJ PASK (Hawke's Bay, New Zealand)
PODERI CRISCI (Waiheke Island, New Zealand)
URLAR (Gladstone, New Zealand)
Picture: Annette Schiller, ombiasy PR and WineTours, and Angus Thomson Pouring his Urlar Wines
Bye Bye
We stayed until the very end. It was such an amazing event.
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